Kyles and Inveraray lock horns as shinty fan Jack is remembered
OF the great supporters of shinty, Jack Asher, will be remembered at the Gregor Cameron Consultancy Celtic Society Cup Final tomorrow (Saturday) at Taynuilt.
Cup holders Kyles Athletic will take on National Division side Inveraray in the final of the south of Scotland senior knock-out cup.
For the first time the referee will be presented with the Jack Asher Memorial Medal. Jack was a director of the Glasgow Celtic Society for 50 years and a foremost referee for more than 40 years, officiating at three Camanachd Cup finals and three Glasgow Celtic Society Cup finals.
Appropriately the memorial medal is an inscribed silver Acme Thunderer referee’s whistle - and the first recipient will be one of shinty’s most respected officials, Deek Cameron of Fort William.
John MacLeod, president of the Glasgow Celtic Society, said: ‘Jack Asher was passionate about shinty as a player and referee. He served the Glasgow Celtic Society with distinction for more than 50 years. His fellow directors decided to recognise his contribution to the society and to refereeing by making an annual award to the cup final referee.’
Kyles Athletic have won the final a record 32 times, while their opponents Inveraray have raised the famous trophy on 22 occasions.
‘The boys are looking forward to the cup final,’ said Inveraray manager Ruaraidh Graham. ‘It is essential Inveraray continue to compete at the highest level possible during this current transition period. The cup final gives the opportunity to further develop young players and will also galvanise team spirit.
‘Kyles will rightly start as favourites, as they are in the Premier League and have only lost one game all season, but with the correct attitude Inveraray will hopefully rise to the occasion and make it a competitive game.’
Kyles Athletic club secretary Mick Atkinson said: ‘We are very proud to reach the final for the fourth consecutive year.
‘The club is delighted to renew rivalries with Inveraray who always provide us with a stern test. Hopefully it will be a good advert for south shinty and the game in general.’
He added: ‘If the boys prevail against strong opposition from Inveraray, they will make history by being the first Kyles team to win four in a row since the early 1920s.’
First played for in 1879, the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup is the oldest shinty trophy still in competition. The match at Taynuilt sports pitch starts at 4pm and will be televised live on BBC ALBA.